Opinion | Trump’s Courageous Decision to Strike Iran’s Nuclear Sites
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Diverging Reports Breakdown
U.S. strikes Iranian nuclear sites
President Donald Trump says Iran’s major nuclear enrichment facilities were “completely and totally obliterated” The location of the 400 kilograms (880 pounds) of 60% enriched uranium has not been revealed by Iran. Trump’s decision to bomb Iran represents a gamble that U.S. military action can remain limited in scope and that the United States will not be drawn into another open-ended war in the Middle East. Iran could find itself severely weakened, having suffered a series of devastating blows over the past year from Israel’s military and intelligence operations, writes CNN’s John Defterios in a piece for The New York Review of Books. The strikes are the first time the U. S. has conducted a direct military attack on Iran, and they further escalated a military conflict between Iran and Israel that began on June 13, Defterio writes. The U.N. Security Council has passed a resolution condemning the strikes, saying they are “counterproductive” and “unacceptable” to the world.
The airstrikes, which targeted the Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan nuclear sites, are the first time the United States has conducted a direct military attack on Iran, and they further escalated a military conflict between Iran and Israel that began on June 13.
More than 125 U.S. military aircraft participated in the operation, according to military officials. The B-2s hit Fordo and Natanz. The submarines hit Isfahan with Tomahawks.
It was the largest B-2 operational strike in U.S. history and the second-largest B-2 mission ever flown, only exceeded by missions after 9/11. The military launched B-2s to the Pacific as a decoy, part of a deception effort.
Trump’s claim about the result of the strikes could not be independently confirmed. Meanwhile, the location of the 400 kilograms (880 pounds) of 60% enriched uranium has not been revealed by Iran.
If the uranium has been sealed inside Fordo, Israeli and U.S. teams will be racing to establish that it is now out of reach.
Follow along for live coverage
“There will be either peace or there will be tragedy,” Trump said in a nationally televised address from the White House, with Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio flanking him. “Remember, there are many targets left. … [I]f peace does not come quickly, we will go after those other targets with precision, speed and skill.”
Trump first announced the strikes on Truth Social at 7:50 p.m. ET.
At the White House, Trump thanked God, the military and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying U.S. officials “worked as a team” with their counterparts in Tel Aviv.
Netanyahu, in his first public comments on the U.S. strikes, congratulated Trump for his “bold decision to target Iran’s nuclear facilities with the awesome and righteous might” of the American military.
The decision will “change history,” Netanyahu said in an English-language video statement.
In a brief phone interview with NBC News’ Kristen Welker, Trump called the strikes a “great success” and a “complete and total success.”
A gamble by Trump
Trump’s decision to bomb Iran represents a gamble that U.S. military action against Tehran’s nuclear program can remain limited in scope and that the United States will not be drawn into another open-ended war in the Middle East.
Trump and his aides appear to have calculated that the U.S. action did not mean opening the door to a long-term military assault on Iran and that a one-off strike could deal a decisive blow to Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
U.S. military commanders have not yet provided details on the damage to Iran’s nuclear sites, including a deeply buried facility in Fordo believed to hold enriched uranium and sophisticated centrifuges. If the bombing was less than precise or if Iran moved key nuclear-related hardware, U.S. aircraft could still be ordered back to finish the job.
Even if the bombing raids hit their targets, the decision to attack Iran carries risks and uncertainties.
If Trump’s gamble pays off, Iran’s nuclear capabilities will be set back years and possibly decades. Iran could find itself severely weakened, having suffered a series of devastating blows over the past year from Israel’s military and intelligence operations.
But Iran has a history of striking at more powerful adversaries by using asymmetric tactics, including terrorist attacks. In 1983, Washington accused Iran of using Lebanese Hezbollah militants to carry out lethal bombings of a Marine Corps barracks and the U.S. Embassy in Beirut.
With both Israel and the United States bombing its territory and Israel’s government suggesting Iran’s government might collapse, Iran’s political leaders are likely to see the current conflict as a fight for the survival of their regime.
Iran has said it has a right to self-defense if it is attacked, and it could be looking to strike at U.S. bases or embassies in and outside the region. Iran still has ballistic and cruise missiles that it could try to fire at American bases in the Persian Gulf or elsewhere, a scenario the U.S. military has long prepared for.
It’s not clear whether Iran could retaliate with missile attacks on U.S. or allied forces in the Gulf. Israel has managed to intercept many of the ballistic missiles and drones that Iran has fired over the past week, though its air defenses are coming under increasing strain.
Iranian officials could choose a more drastic response by planting sea mines or attacking commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway between the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean through which a fifth of the world’s oil passes.
Such a move could cause havoc in the oil markets and the global economy. But it would also disrupt Iran’s own oil exports, depriving the country’s struggling economy of badly needed oil revenue. And it could antagonize other countries that have so far stayed out of the conflict.
After he spoke Saturday night, Trump posted on Truth Social, “ANY RETALIATION BY IRAN AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WILL BE MET WITH FORCE FAR GREATER THAN WHAT WAS WITNESSED TONIGHT. THANK YOU! DONALD J. TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES”
Iran had long counted on its proxy forces in the region as a defensive ring to fend off its enemies and deter any possible attack by Israel or the United States.
But its most important ally, Hezbollah in Lebanon, has been devastated by a series of Israeli attacks and assassinations. And in the Palestinian enclave of Gaza, Hamas — which Iran armed and trained — has been badly weakened and its leaders have been killed.
But Tehran still has Shiite militias in Iraq and Houthi militants in Yemen that could possibly target American forces, including in Syria.
The New York Police Department said in a statement that it was putting officers at sensitive locations around the city in the wake of the U.S. action.
“We’re tracking the situation unfolding in Iran,” the statement said. “Out of an abundance of caution, we’re deploying additional resources to religious, cultural, and diplomatic sites across NYC and coordinating with our federal partners.”
President Donald Trump addresses the nation from the White House after the United States carried out attacks on three Iranian nuclear facilities Saturday. Carlos Barria / AFP via Getty Images
Partisan reaction
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., attacked Trump’s decision to strike Iran, saying that “the risk of war has now dramatically increased.”
“President Trump misled the country about his intentions, failed to seek congressional authorization for the use of military force and risks American entanglement in a potentially disastrous war in the Middle East,” Jeffries said in a statement.
Tommy Vietor, who was a National Security Council spokesperson during the Obama administration, warned of retaliatory attacks by Tehran against the United States.
“Iran might retaliate today, tomorrow or in months. Or a year from now, Iran or its proxies might blow up a bus filled with American tourists in Cyprus,” Vietor wrote on social media. “No one knows what comes next. Bombing Iran started something that we no longer have the capacity to predict or contain.”
Republican members of Congress said on social media that they supported Trump’s decision to bomb the three nuclear sites in Iran.
Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said, “Good. This was the right call. The regime deserves it.”
Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas said the attack was necessary. “The prospect of the Iranian regime acquiring nuclear weapons represents the most acute immediate threat to America and our allies,” he said.
Sen. John Cornyn of Texas called Trump’s actions “courageous and correct,” and Sen. Rick Scott of Florida said the president’s actions show “what peace through strength looks like.”
Focus on Fordo site
The facility at Fordo, Iran’s most advanced, is built inside a mountain and believed to be safe from any bomb except the United States’ GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator, a “bunker buster” weapon.
Fordo nuclear facility on 20 June, top, and the site today following the U.S.’s strikes. Satellite image ©2025 Maxar Technologies
Trump’s turn
NBC News has reported that Trump initially opposed Israel’s taking military action against Iran, favoring negotiations over bombing. But in the days before Israel’s strikes on Iran, he became convinced that Israel’s heightened anxiety over Iran’s nuclear enrichment capabilities was warranted.
After a pivotal June 8 briefing from the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, about Israel’s plans and U.S. options for supporting its operation, Trump gave tacit approval for Israel to conduct strikes and for the U.S. to provide limited backing.
Even though many of his MAGA allies have advocated against U.S. military involvement, Trump’s rhetoric about Iran has steadily escalated since Israel’s bombing campaign began.
On Tuesday, he called for Iran’s “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!” on Truth Social.
Wednesday morning, he said he was still considering U.S. strikes.
“I may do it. I may not do it,” he told reporters outside the White House. “Nobody knows what I’m going to do.”
“I may do it. I may not do it,” he told reporters outside the White House. “Nobody knows what I’m going to do.”
On Saturday, Trump’s decision was clear: an unprecedented US military attack that he hopes will weaken Iran so decisively that its leaders will make major concessions.
Trump ended his speech with a warning to Iran’s leaders. “Iran, the bully of the Middle East, must make peace,” he said. The question now is how Iran responds.
Mike Pence, other Indiana politicians praise Trump’s decision to bomb Iran’s nuclear sites
Indiana’s top Republican leaders applaud U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to attack three Iranian nuclear sites. Even Mike Pence, Trump’s former vice president who ran against him in 2024, praised the move. Democrats are condemning the strikes, specifically criticizing Trump for not first seeking congressional approval.
Gov. Mike Braun and most of the Republican caucus have voiced their support for the president’s move. Even Mike Pence, Trump’s former vice president who ran against him in 2024, praised the move.
However, U.S. Rep. Andre Carson and Democrats are condemning the strikes, specifically criticizing Trump for not first seeking congressional approval.
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After the attacks on June 21, the United States is now intertwined with Israel’s war with Iran.
In an address to the nation later Saturday evening, Trump said there could be further and larger attacks if peace isn’t maintained.
Following the attack, Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran has the right to defend itself and there will be “everlasting consequences.”
Former Vice President Mike Pence
Indiana Gov. Mike Braun
Indiana’s congressional delegation
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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Mike Pence, other Indiana politicians praise Trump’s strike on Iran
US strikes 3 Iranian nuclear sites, Trump announces
Expert warns of ‘war of codes’ after Iranian crypto exchange gets hacked. Lionsgate Network CEO and Founder Bezalel Eithan Raviv spoke with FOX Business about the recent Nobitex hack. “I think it’s a game-changer. I think geopolitical efforts and war as we see it is right now playing in different avenues,” Raviv said. “This is a war of codes, really, where casualties in human life are zero”
As the conflict between Israel and Iran intensifies, most are focused on traditional battlefields: air, land, and sea. However, this battle is playing out on a digital battlefield as well. Lionsgate Network CEO and Founder Bezalel Eithan Raviv spoke with FOX Business about the recent Nobitex hack and its implications on the future of geopolitical conflicts.
“I think it’s a game-changer. I think geopolitical efforts and war as we see it is right now playing in different avenues,” Raviv said. “We always said that when you trace the funds, you are able to see what’s behind the curtain. And now this is another escalation or evolution of how factors or actors or entities within the space are able to target the actual source of funding and change the game for the entire system.”
Nobitex, one of Iran’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges, was recently the victim of a hack that led to nearly $90 million in losses. The hacking group Gonjeshke Darande, which has ties to Israel, claimed responsibility for the attack. According to Reuters, Gonjeshke Darande has a history of attacking Iran through sophisticated cyber hacks. Though the Israeli government has never formally acknowledged its ties to the group, Israeli media says Gonjeshke Darande is “linked” to the country.
Gonjeshke Darande’s latest apparent anti-Iran hack comes as long-escalating tensions between Tehran and Jerusalem erupted on June 13 with Israel’s historic preemptive attacks. Now, Raviv says that the world is witnessing a new form of warfare with virtually zero lives lost.
“This is a war of codes, really, where casualties in human life are zero and the efforts are only behind the curtain, no ammunition whatsoever,” Raviv told FOX Business.
This is an excerpt from a FOX Business article by Rachel Wolf.
Either peace or tragedy: Trump’s warning after US strikes hit Iranian nuclear sites
On Saturday, a group of scientists from the U.S. took part in a project to create a virtual reality world. The project, called Virtual Reality World, was held at the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington, D.C. on Saturday and Sunday. The goal was to create the world’s most realistic virtual reality experience. The team of scientists created a virtual world where they could see and interact with each other. They created a world of virtual reality where they were able to see and talk to each other in real time. They also created virtual reality worlds where they would be able to take part in virtual reality experiences. The event took place on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday in Seattle and New York, Washington and San Francisco. It took place over the course of two days and two nights from June 13 to June 22. It was held on the campus of the University Of Washington, Seattle, and on the grounds of the Washington University in San Francisco, Washington. It is the first time the scientists have been able to use virtual reality to create real-time virtual reality.
The targeted locations reportedly include the highly fortified Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan nuclear facilities.
Addressing a media briefing just hours after the strikes on Saturday (US time), Trump stated, “This cannot continue. There will either be peace or tragedy for Iran, far greater than what we have witnessed over the last eight days. There are many targets left.”
“Remember, there are many targets left. Tonight was the most difficult of them all, by far, and perhaps the most lethal, but if peace does not come quickly, we will go after those other targets with precision, speed and skill,” he added.
The President asserted that the strikes were aimed at crippling Iran’s “nuclear enrichment capacity and put a stop to the nuclear threat posed by the world’s number one state sponsor of terror.”
Despite weeks of diplomatic efforts to renegotiate a nuclear agreement with Tehran — following the US withdrawal from the 2015 accord in 2018 — Trump has now thrown full support behind Israel’s military campaign against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and high-ranking military officials, a campaign launched a little over a week ago.
In his statement, Trump extended gratitude to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying, “I want to thank and congratulate Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu. We worked as a team, like perhaps no team has ever worked before, and we’ve gone a long way to erasing this horrible threat to Israel. I want to thank the Israeli military for the wonderful job they’ve done.”
The air conflict between the two nations erupted on June 13 when Israel launched a surprise strike on Iran.
Israeli authorities claimed the offensive was a preemptive measure to stop Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons — an ambition Iran has consistently denied.
The conflict has since raised tensions across the region, already on edge following Israel’s prolonged war in Gaza since October 2023.
The latest exchange has now drawn in the United States in a direct military capacity.
Earlier in the day, Trump posted on his social media platform, Truth Social, calling the strikes a “historic moment for the United States of America, Israel, and the World… Iran must now agree to end this war. Thank you!”
In another post, the US President praised American forces, writing, “There is not another military in the World that could have done this. Now is the time for peace! Thank you for your attention to this matter.”
Iranian state media confirmed that parts of the Fordow nuclear facility were hit in what it called “enemy strikes,” though further details on the extent of the damage remain limited.
Strength before peace: Netanyahu lauds Trump for strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday hailed US President Donald Trump following coordinated airstrikes on Iran’s key nuclear facilities, calling the military action a bold and historic move that could reshape the future of the Middle East.
In a video address after the strikes, Netanyahu praised Trump’s decision to target Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, including the heavily fortified Fordow site, as well as installations at Natanz and Esfahan. The Israeli leader reiterated the long-standing motto shared by both leaders: “Peace through strength”.
“First comes strength, then comes peace,” Netanyahu said. “Tonight, President Trump and the United States demonstrated immense strength. This is a decisive and bold action that will be remembered in history.”
The US military reportedly deployed six bunker-buster bombs on the Fordow nuclear facility and launched 30 Tomahawk cruise missiles at Natanz and Esfahan, as part of what has been described as a highly successful mission. The operation, reportedly codenamed “Rising Lion”, was aimed at neutralising what the US sees as imminent nuclear threats posed by Iran.
“President Trump, congratulations. Your courageous leadership and decision to strike Iran’s nuclear sites with the overwhelming power of the United States is a pivotal moment,” Netanyahu said. “This action, in my view, denies the world’s most dangerous regime access to the world’s most dangerous weapons.”
Netanyahu also highlighted Israel’s role in countering regional threats but acknowledged that the US operation far exceeded anything any nation could have executed. “History will record this as the moment when a line was drawn. President Trump acted not just for American security, but for the safety of the entire world,” he added.
Meanwhile, Trump posted on his platform, Truth Social, confirming the airstrikes and stating, “A full payload of bombs was dropped on Fordow… All planes are safely on their way home.” He called the mission a success and praised the American military, saying, “There is no other force on Earth that could have accomplished this.”
In his post, Trump emphasised that “now is the time for peace” and announced he would address the nation at 10 p.m. local time to discuss the operation in detail. Describing the moment as historic for the US, Israel, and the world, Trump called on Iran to “end this war” and reconsider its nuclear ambitions in the wake of the military response.
Israeli PM Netanyahu praises US President Trump for strikes on Iranian nuclear sites
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised U.S. President Donald Trump after the coordinated airstrikes on Iran’s major nuclear sites. Netanyahu called the operation a bold and historic step that could redefine the future of the Middle East. The mission, reportedly codenamed “Rising Lion,” was intended to neutralize what the U.N. views as imminent nuclear threats from Iran. The strikes reportedly used six bunker-buster bombs to strike the Fordow nuclear facility and launched 30 Tomahawk cruise missiles at sites in Natanz and Esfahan.
In a video message following the strikes, Netanyahu praised President Trump’s decision to hit Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, including the heavily fortified Fordow facility and sites at Natanz and Esfahan. He also reaffirmed the shared principle between the two leaders: “Peace through strength.”
“First comes strength, then comes peace. Tonight, President Trump and the United States demonstrated immense strength. This is a decisive and bold action that will be remembered in history,” said Netanyahu.
The U.S. military reportedly used six bunker-buster bombs to strike the Fordow nuclear facility and launched 30 Tomahawk cruise missiles at sites in Natanz and Esfahan, as part of what has been described as a highly successful operation.
The mission, reportedly codenamed “Rising Lion,” was intended to neutralize what the U.S. views as imminent nuclear threats from Iran.
“President Trump, congratulations. Your courageous leadership and decision to strike Iran’s nuclear sites with the overwhelming power of the United States is a pivotal moment. This action, in my view, denies the world’s most dangerous regime access to the world’s most dangerous weapons,” Netanyahu said.
Netanyahu also emphasized Israel’s efforts in addressing regional threats but admitted that the U.S. operation went beyond what any other nation could have carried out.
“History will record this as the moment when a line was drawn. President Trump acted not just for American security, but for the safety of the entire world,” he added.
“We have completed our very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. All planes are now outside of Iran air space. A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site, Fordow. All planes are safely on their way home. Congratulations to our great American Warriors. There is not another military in the World that could have done this. NOW IS THE TIME FOR PEACE! Thank you for your attention to this matter,” Trump said on the social platform Truth Social.
“This is an HISTORIC MOMENT FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ISRAEL, AND THE WORLD. IRAN MUST NOW AGREE TO END THIS WAR. THANK YOU!” he added.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/22/opinion/us-military-strike-iran-trump.html